Deputy Manager

Deputy Manager – Children’s Learning Disability Home

£33,717–£35,797 basic salary
Typical earnings £39,957–£42,037 including sleep-ins
£65 per sleep-in | Full-time permanent contract
Church Gresley, Derbyshire | Full UK driving licence required

Don’t just join a home. Help us build one.

Hidden Gem Care is growing, and we’re looking for a Deputy Manager who wants more than their next job title.

We’re looking for someone who wants to help shape a home, develop a team and be part of building an organisation we can all be proud of.

We’re a small children’s home in Church Gresley supporting young people with learning disabilities. You’ll be joining us at an exciting stage of our journey, working alongside a supportive Registered Manager, an experienced and supportive Responsible Individual, and directors who share the same values and ambitions for the service.

We have plans to grow, and we want the people who join us now to grow with us.

As our Deputy Manager, you won’t simply be stepping into an established way of doing things. You’ll have the opportunity to bring ideas, influence practice and play a genuine part in shaping the culture of the home from the beginning.

We’re interested in potential, not just job titles.

You don’t need to have been a Deputy Manager before to join us as one.

If you’ve developed a strong foundation in residential childcare, have the right values and are ready to take the next step in your career, we want to hear from you.

Previous leadership or management experience and a completed Level 5 qualification would be an advantage, but we’re equally interested in people who have the ability and ambition to develop with the right support around them.

We want somebody who understands that leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice or simply telling people what to do.

It’s about setting standards, leading by example, supporting people to develop and creating a culture where everyone understands why we do what we do – rather than simply ticking boxes.

What will you actually be doing?

You’ll work closely with the Registered Manager to support the day-to-day running and development of the home.

You’ll help lead and develop the staff team, support good decision-making and make sure the quality of care we provide reflects the individual needs of the young people living with us.

You’ll contribute to care planning, risk assessments, safeguarding, positive behaviour support, staff development, quality assurance and communication with families and the wider professional network.

You’ll support staff through supervision, reflection and day-to-day coaching, helping them understand not only what good practice looks like, but why it matters.

You’ll also support the Registered Manager with monitoring standards within the home and making sure our practice reflects the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.

But this isn’t a role where we want you permanently sitting behind a desk.

You’ll still know our young people.

We want a Deputy who is visible in the home, builds relationships, understands each young person and knows the staff team they’re helping to lead.

We want our staff to feel as supported as the young people we care for.

You’ll have a management team around you who are approachable, supportive and genuinely want you to do well.

We won’t always get everything right, but we’ll reflect, learn and improve together.

You’ll be supported by your Registered Manager and Responsible Individual, alongside directors who are invested in the long-term development of the home and the people working within it.

We’re building the culture of this home from the beginning, and you’ll have a real part in shaping it.

We want you to bring ideas, challenge us when appropriate and help us build a home where young people receive great care and good staff want to stay.

What we’re looking forEssential

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or recognised equivalent
• Willingness to complete the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare if you don’t already hold it
• A strong understanding of safeguarding and child-centred practice
• The ability and confidence to lead, support and develop other people
• Good communication, organisation and recording skills
• The ability to make decisions and take responsibility
• A calm, reflective and solution-focused approach
• An understanding that behaviour is communication
• Flexibility to work a residential rota including evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins
• Full UK driving licence – essential

Desirable

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare
• Previous Senior or Deputy Manager experience
• Experience within children’s residential care
• Experience supporting children or young people with learning disabilities, autism or additional needs
• Knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted expectations

What you’ll get from us

£33,717–£35,797 basic salary, depending on experience and qualifications.

Sleep-ins are paid at £65 per night. Based on an average of eight sleep-ins per month, this adds approximately £6,240 per year, giving typical annual earnings of approximately £39,957–£42,037.

You’ll receive a full induction, ongoing specialist training and continued professional development, including support to achieve your Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare if required.

You’ll have regular support from an approachable Registered Manager and Responsible Individual, alongside genuine opportunities for further career progression as Hidden Gem Care grows.

Our ambitions go beyond one home. As we grow, we’ll need more Deputies, Registered Managers and other leaders – and wherever possible, we want those people to come from the teams we’ve invested in and developed.

This isn’t about making empty promises of promotion. It’s about giving good people the opportunity, support and development to be ready when those opportunities arise.

You’ll also receive:

• Company pension
• Free on-site parking
• Casual dress
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Genuine opportunities for career progression

If you’re already a Deputy looking for somewhere you can genuinely contribute, or you’re an ambitious Senior who’s ready for your next step, we’d really like to hear from you.

Come and help us build something we can all be proud of.

Successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references in line with safer recruitment requirements.

Pay: £33,716.80-£35,796.80 per year

Work Location: In person